For the protection of landowners, their land and their natural resources, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) will always be carried out first before any development on iTaukei land is carried out, says Ministry of iTaukei Affairs permanent secretary Savenaca Kaunisela.

Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and to the Minister for Trade and Investment, Steven Ciobo arrives in Fiji tonight for a series of meetings which include the signing over an MOU to mark the country’s inclusion in the Seasonal Worker Program.

NFA investigates home fires

The National Fire Authority is investigating cases of fire which destroyed two homes in the western division yesterday.

According to National Fire Authority’s spokesman, Ritesh Kumar at the moment nothing is known of the cause of the fires.

However, he assured “that NFA were closely working in conjunction with police to ascertain the cause of the fires.”The incidents took place at Tauvegavega in Ba yesterday, early morning destroying a three bedroom house.

Whilst the other incident occurred at Nagado village in Nadi, where by a three bedroom house was destroyed by fire yesterday morning.

Fortunately there were no reported deaths however; the victims of the fire were left with only the clothes on there back.

Kumar also stated that whilst the investigation was continuing to determine the cause of these two fire incidents are still underway NFA reiterates its call for the people to immediately alert the fire brigade by calling 911 as soon as the fire starts – to give the firefighters the best chance to save your property from destruction.